Girl, it’s hella cold in the Bay Area right now! I suppose I could do some jumping jacks or put on an extra fleece to stay warm, but screw that. I’d rather use Chanel makeup to get me through these long winter nights.
Chanel Winter Nights Quad
Okay, so maybe an eyeshadow quad doesn’t have the warming power of a down comforter. Yes, I may be partially frozen and unable to feel my toes, but at least my eye makeup looks hot.
I gotta give you gals that live in places with freezing temps mega-props for being able to handle a real winter, ’cause when it drops into the 40s here I’m barely functional. It’s so cold that I don’t even want to shower, and, believe me, my will to be clean is VERY STRONG.
My stinky self has resorted to layering and various Jedi mind tricks to keep warm. A good friend from Eastern Europe told me that a trick to surviving cold weather is to walk around thinking hot thoughts, so for the last half hour I’ve been pacing around my living room thinking about Hawaii, Christian Bale and Chanel’s Spring Aurora Blues collection. Three words: hot, hot and HOT!
Remember a few months ago when we got the heads up on what was in store for Chanel’s Spring 2008 color line? Well, the Aurora Blues collection is finally here and available both online at Chanel.com and in person at your nearby Nordstrom Chanel counter.
Here are a few goodies to melt away your cold-weather blues.
Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Bleu Celestes (navy and pale tones), $55
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Enchanteresse (brown rose), $40
Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Exquise (shimmering peach), $30
The limited edition Fleurs de Chanel eyeshadow quad is really cute, but I passed because I don’t really see myself wearing these pale colors. Plus, I couldn’t bear to ruin the beautiful camilla flower design, and I sure as heck am not going to throw down $65 bucks for a quad that I’m only going to admire from afar.
I love the beauty shot for this collection. Isn’t she pretty?
For some weird reason I’m digging those big, Brooke Shields-esque brows, too.
Face of the Day
The model in the pic above inspired this face o’ the day.
All the makeup I used here was by Chanel.
Eyes:
From the Bleu Celestes Quad:
Browbone – white shadow
Crease – grey shadow
Inner lid – light blue shadow
Upper and lower lash line – dark blue shadow
Lashes – two coats of Inimitable Mascara
Cheeks:
Joues Contraste blush in Enchanteresse
Face:
Matte Reflecting Powder Makeup in Honey
Lips:
Rouge Allure in Exquise
To get the bright, bold blue at the lashline, apply the shadow with a wet, flat brush like the MAC 239 or 252. When applied wet, it’s exactly the same color as the Precision Eyeliner in Blue Jean ($27.50), so save yourself some money (is that even possible with Chanel?) and get more bang for your buck by purchasing the Bleu Celestes quad instead.
The chimera of the lip product world
Last but not least is this cutie pie from the Spring 2008 collection, Creme Gloss Lumiere in Petit Four ($32), a creme pink lipstick/lipgloss hybrid that comes in a brush pen.
Creme Gloss Lumiere blends the best of both worlds by combining the texture of a lipstick with the high shine of a lipgloss. I like the light texture and the color. Even though I wish the brush pen was a little bit stiffer, it’s still easy to use and perfect for when I don’t have time to apply lipstick with a lipbrush.
Swatch it good. Swatch it real good.
And, yes, I couldn’t forget the swatches. 🙂
From left to right:
1. Creme Gloss Lumiere in Petit Four
2. Rouge Allure Lipstick in Exquise
3-6. Quadra Eyeshadow in Bleu Celestes
7. Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Enchanteresse
Somebody make me some tea! It’s FREEZING!
Stay warm, ladies.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tootsie says
December 28th, 2007 at 11:49 pmIt’s freezing here too and I’ve ’bout had it! Christmas is over and I’m ready for spring.
Mrs. Lynne says
December 29th, 2007 at 12:00 amIt’s been chilly here lately. And of course low 70s is chilly island weather. Your picture looks like you were at Ko’Olina. Was that even taken here?
I love the big, bad blue as a liner. Very deep!
Karen says
December 29th, 2007 at 12:07 amI hear that, Tootsie. I’m dying for opened toed shoes and tank tops. Sigh!
Happy new year!
Karen says
December 29th, 2007 at 12:09 amGood eyes, Mrs. Lynne! I got married in that chapel behind me.
They were giving surf lessons on a small break just past the pool. My hub and I are usually on Oahu during this time of year, and we’ll be walking around in shorts while everybody else is wearing fleece, LOL.
Armine Abrahamyan says
December 29th, 2007 at 12:16 amI have never heard of this product before. Is it new? I’d like to have one for me.
-armine
Sandy says
December 29th, 2007 at 1:42 amChanel is love. Their rouge hydrabase lipstick lasts long 🙂 Love it.
Hmm.. the Creme Gloss Lumiere looks good. OMG, the quad, the colours are beautiful. But I got too many eyeshadows =( I’m gonna give them away for free >.
BB says
December 29th, 2007 at 2:36 amHi Karen,
I just came across your blog today and looked through most of your archives – you have a really cool blog, I love how it is filled with personal pics so we can see colors properly. I added you on my Beauty Blogroll, hope that’s OK. Have a nice day! x
Holly says
December 29th, 2007 at 6:22 amnot fair we dont have that quad in the UK yet, that is now officially on my NY shopping list!! And that nail polish in blue satin looks amazing!
Kelly says
December 29th, 2007 at 6:46 amI was lucky enough to make it home without sliding off the road yesterday after work. I’d love for some of your weather, but this is what mine looks like: http://www.woodtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=2906&nav=menu44_7
At least the dogs are having a blast romping around in the snow.
You need a cup of tea or cocoa and pair of these (it’s what my husband claims the dogs bought me for Christmas) http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1399006&navCount=3
It’s seriously like surrounding your feet by the warmest, fluffiest, fuzziest plush teddy bears with that fuzzy lining.
Stay toasty!
Sal says
December 29th, 2007 at 6:54 amthey say if you eat ice cream during winter, you feel warmer because the stuff lowers your own body temperature so the difference with the outside temperature isnt so much. so much for science.
will try sending warm weather vibes from stinkin’ hot queensland, australia.
Rowena says
December 29th, 2007 at 7:37 amOhhh Gorgeous. I was really looking forward to this collection!
How is the texture of the Quad Karen? I find some Chanel Quads are a bit grainy? And the blusher looks divine too! I like the look of the Glossimer Gloss, do you know if this lot is Limited Edition?
Ooh man. Christian Bale in the American Psycho Days! Look at that bod. Even as a psycho killer he was sexy. I prefer him without a fringe though!
Glosslizard says
December 29th, 2007 at 10:56 amOoh, Karen! Did you finally get the Winter Nights quad? That’ll warm you up! I love that deep blue on you, and I think that blush was made just pour vous!
I was just in SF yesterday poking around and I saw the Chanel spring line! Beautiful! My man Chris at the Nordstom Chanel counter hooked me up with a fantastic blue and rose look that had passers-by commenting and hopping in his chair! I didn’t splurge on the quad ’cause I’m saving some money for when I go shopping with my best friend next week (Yay! Paula-time!) but I did get the eye pencil in graphite which is one of the prettiest shimmery-grays I’ve seen! Oh, and I reserved one of the Guerlain limited edition spring collection quads (the one with the embossed flower)… so amazing!
Like you, I don’t go to the blues that much (except for blue-grays or blue-greens) but that quad is like a pile of sapphires, beautiful, fresh, and crave-inducing! I might cave yet!
Tekoa says
December 29th, 2007 at 2:23 pmWhat, – 40ish F is cold? Oh, that made me smile. In Alberta it is -30 C. I’m not sure what that translates as in Americanese, but its a bit chilly. Let us share hot chocolate together. It even has marshmellows.
Miss Gisele B. says
December 29th, 2007 at 8:23 pmMy, this is a very cold colour palette and it surely will NOT look good on everyone.
I would actually go out there and state that it might be a miss for many women over 35 or even 40, because the cold shades of shimmer will be a bit severe.
Also, when you have a warm skin tone, this is just not all that flattering.
Well, that’s my two cents worth of opinion.
Gisele
steph says
December 30th, 2007 at 4:25 amhi,i like Chanel’s spring collection. I’ve already took home the blue satin nail color.it looks just perfect for the New Year’s Eve Party.i love it:)
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:23 amSandy,
I got too many eyeshadows, too. I’ve given a lot of mine away to friends but somehow they just keep multiplying. They’re like the rabbits of my makeup collection. What I really need is more blush. Right now I want more Chanel blushes. 😉
I haven’t yet tried the Rouge Hydrabase so that’s next on my list, WOOT!
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:24 amThank you BB! It’s great to meet you. 🙂 I like your site as well.
Take care and happy new year
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:25 amHolly, Have a great time stocking up on goodies during your trip. Oh – I forgot to tell ya that you should stock up on Philosophy skincare stuff, too. It’s awesome. 🙂
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:30 amKelly,
Props to you for your cold weather constitution. 30s and snow, oy, I could never hack it. Those slippers are the shizz! Aren’t your dogs (lol) thoughtful!
I raise my hot cup o’ tea to you. *Cheers*
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:32 amSal,
Funny you should mention the ice-cream eating thing. It was really cold the other day and I saw a guy walking around in a short sleeve button up shirt and eating a frozen chocolate dipped banana popsicle. Maybe he was trying to lower his body temp, hmmm.
And I will happily take your hot weather vibes from stinking hot Austrailia! Happy new year, woo hoo!
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:43 amHey Rowena,
I don’t think that the shadows are too grainy. If you’re a hard core MAC Pigment girl you might not like them so much because the color payoff is not as intense, but that’s what I like about the Chanel shadows because I think the look is more refined and subtle.
As for the Glossimers, I know for sho’ that Galactic is a re-release (snag it; it’s a fantastic shade). The site says that Iris (peachy pink) and Hibiscus (shimmering plum) Glossimers are new but I dunno if they are LE.
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:50 amHi Glosslizard,
I find shopping trips with friends an extra special treat, especially as I get older and schedules get busier and my friends get farther away. Are you guys going to Union Square? One of my favorite girlfriend outings is to go shopping and then have lunch at the Neiman Marcus Rotunda restaurant. It’s kinda “ladies who lunch” but it’s fun.
When I first saw this quad I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it but I loved it once I saw it on. I think the blues are sophisticated and non-threatening, LOL.
I’ve never tried any Guerlain products, believe it or not!
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:51 amHi Tekoa, I’m down for some hot chocolate! Extra marshmallows, please. 🙂 Cheers! *Raises mug*
(and HOLY CRAP, -30C is COLD! I can’t even imagine!)
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:54 amHi Miss Gisele,
Yeah, blues can seem a bit intimidating, but Chanel does color in a way that isn’t too in your face. I usually “warmer” colors so this is a new step for me. You should try it! You might like it 😉
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 11:54 amHey Steph,
Nice! I liked the nail color but I totally abuse my nails so I opted for the quad instead. Have fun at your New Year’s party! 🙂
Rowena says
December 30th, 2007 at 12:54 pmHi Karen
I know what you mean! I have the Chanel Quad in Beige and although its not madly pigmented I always get compliments wearing it because it leaves such a lovely wash of colour. Aargh! No I want this quad again.
Question though – out of this quad and the Garden Party which one do you prefer? As I have the opportunity to get Garden Party too…
Glosslizard says
December 30th, 2007 at 1:04 pmYeah, we’re going to Union Square! We’re actually having side-by-side pedis at Bliss and then lunching at the XYZ! Ha, “ladies who lunch” for sure!
I’d never tried Guerlain either (except for the fragrances, of course) until I got one of those little sample cards with their lipcolor. I tried the Rose Ententant shade and it was such the perfect lippie for me! One of those “I’ve been looking for this and I didn’t even know it!” moments! I bought the full size and I love it dearly! It will soon be joined by the eyeshadow quad in Fleur de Feu for a total of two! Two wonderful Guerlain products in my stash! Ha ha ha!
TUPRNUT says
December 30th, 2007 at 7:03 pmThat blush was made for you!
I have yet to buy Chanel… I keep circling the Chanel counter at Macy’s when I’m there… I stay far enough away that I don’t get noticed by a MA, but close enough to catch a look at the colors. I’d love to get a quad eyeshadow, but haven’t seen one that I really like all 4 colors.
I may have to check out their blush, though… that one on you looks great. Would you say it’s as pigmented as MAC? How does it wear? I’m on the fence between a new Chanel blush and one from Dior. Have you tried Dior?
Happy Sunday!
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 8:41 pmRowena, I like both quads but I LOOOOOOOVE Garden Party! It’s really versatile and it’s been my go-to look for important events (I wore it when I interviewed Paris, hee.)
I hope you get it! It’s my fave of my Chanel quads so far.
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 8:45 pmHow fun, Glosslizard. You’ll have a great day with your homegirl (and I hope it doesn’t rain when it’s time for your outing.)
Guerlain has really pretty packaging (I’m such a sucker!). I can’t wait to hit the counter next time I’m in the city to check it out, woo hoo!
Karen says
December 30th, 2007 at 8:55 pmHappy Sunday Tuprnut!
I haven’t tried Dior yet, but Chanel blushes have the same “refined” look as their shadows. The sparkle is very fine and the color is natural. This is my first one and I like it so far. I find that they are texture-wise the Jouse Contrastse reminds me of Mineralize Eye Shadows but without the extra chunky glitter. Definitely hit the counter and play with them before you buy cause I think it’s something you’ll either love or hate.
I have a blush confession: I am currently crushing on a few MAC blushes right now, Margin, Tenderling and Pinch Me. They are next on my list!
TUPRNUT says
December 31st, 2007 at 6:31 amOoooo! I just got Margin (to replace Melba) and I love it!!! I know this is Temptalia’s go-to blush.
Glosslizard says
December 31st, 2007 at 8:20 amI’m so excited, I haven’t had a chance to just have fun girl-time with her in a long time! 😀 We’re both going to look awfully silly walking around the city in this weather in post-pedi sandals though! LOL!
You might want to wait until the end of January to really snoop through Guerlain, I think that’s when the Spring collection will appear at counters and it looks like it’s going to be SO PRETTY! Aagh! I’m drooling again.
Karen says
December 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pmHi Tuprnut, Oh yeah, that’s right! I remember Christine telling me that awhile back.
Margin is soooo mine if I manage to get through all of my work stuff this week! Makeup bribery always helps me get motivated, LOL.
Karen says
December 31st, 2007 at 2:20 pmThanks Glosslizard, I’ll wait ’till then. I am already in a Spring mindset though…gimme pastels, fresh colors, light perfumes, allergy medication!
Rowena says
January 1st, 2008 at 7:28 pmOoooh now you got me. The Aurora looks similar (on paper anyway) to the quad called Blue Notes. I am thinking it is not as versatile as Garden Party. I was at the Chanel Counter today and yes, Garden Party did look quite zexy. But I also like the look of Vanites and Sparkling Satins. What’s a gal to do?! Garden Party isn’t LE in the UK so I do have time to purchase (or force someone else to buy it for me….!!)
Karen says
January 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pmGirl, get somebody to buy that for you. The quad is even sweeter when it’s a gift.
The other day I lined my quads up and just sat there and admired them. I’ve officially turned into a Chanel stalker.
The dark green in Garden Party is a real gem, especially when applied wet.
andy says
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pmHI
you didnt mention ,..what you had on your entire lid…what color from the celestes. You used the light on the inner…
grey in the crease…
what color on the lid?????????? thank you
andy
memreez@aol.com
andy says
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 pmi love this quad
andy says
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 pmI hope this brings out Hazel eyes…
I was wearing the garden Party….but soooooo excited with the Celestes….and i NEVER ever wear blues!!! I had to have these!!!
i need to know a great application technique….
im not that good at applying!!!!
Karen says
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:07 pmHi Andy,
I think that’s the light blue and a mix of the dark blue.
You should totally get this quad! It would make your eyes really pop.
As for application, one thing that helps is having great brushes and lots of practice. What brushes are you using?
chloie9 says
January 6th, 2008 at 4:56 pmhey just wanted to say thanks for the review and pics…finally got to see this in person myself today…bought Blue Satin np and Phi Phi Aqualumiere…and FYI somebody on ebay is using your Bleu Celestes pic (complete with watermark…duh) to sell their item…
Karen says
January 6th, 2008 at 5:47 pmHi Chloie9,
Phiphi is really pretty. I may have to adopt it sometime soon, LOL.
And thanks for the heads up on the ebay pic … I’m a little annoyed but it’s like free advertising so what the hay. But thanks again for letting me know, I really appreciate it.
Happy new year!